$100,000 Missing From Gwinnett Church

GWINNETT COUNTY, Ga.,None - An investigation into allegations of embezzled funds from a Gwinnett County church is growing.

Gwinnett County police tell Channel 2's Richard Elliot they now believe more than $100,000 is missing from the accounts of Peachtree Corners Presbyterian Church in Norcross, and they say several hundred thousand dollars remain unaccounted for.

Church elders officially accused their treasurer of theft by taking. They filed their accusations with Gwinnett police last week. As of right now, he is not charged with any crime, but detectives confirmed to Elliot they are investigating the case.

Channel 2 Action News decided to withhold the man's name until police issued an arrest warrant.

"If their investigation is conclusive and he is responsible, of course charges will be made," said Cpl. Jacob Smith of the Gwinnett County Police Department. "If not, they'll interview him and use his knowledge of this system and how it works and we'll move off in that other direction."

Senior Pastor John Dorr would not comment about his church's allegations, but he did e-mail a statement that reads, "while our congregation is saddened by recent events, we will continue to proclaim the gospel of Jesus Christ in our community and fulfill the mission to which God has called us."

Detectives with the Gwinnett County police financial crimes unit continue to search records and documents. They believe these thefts have been going on for a while.

"It's been going on for several years," said Smith, "maybe as long as 2002. The past eight years or so."

Elliot tried twice Tuesday to contact the treasurer at his home, but no one answered the door.